19 Aug 2016

Enroute to Wrangel Island in the Russian Arctic

Our second Wrangel Island expedition got underway from Anadyr in perfect weather conditions on Monday 15th August.  We sailed across the Gulf of Anadyr and our first landing was in Preobrazhenya Bay.  Preobrazhenya literally translates as “Transfiguration” and it was so named by Vitus Bering on the 6th August 1728 who anchored in this Bay on this day.

 The next day found us at Yattgran Island and immediately after breakfast we landed at Whale Bone Alley, an ancient archaeological site dating to as early as perhaps 14th Century.  The historical purpose of this site is debated as to whether it was simply a meat storage area or whether it had some religious significance.  We may never know the true background but it provides a rare insight into the ancient people of the Far North.

Later we took advantage of the calm sea conditions to go whale watching and we were not disappointed.  There were good numbers of both gray and humpback whales much to the delight of the expeditioners onboard.  Some of us chose to finish the day off with a luxurious soak in a nearby natural hot spring.  I doubt whether there is a hot pool anywhere in the world with a better view!

We have also enjoyed the hospitality of the local people of Lavrentiya.  We are always made most welcome in this small local village.  Their small museum is one of the best in Chukotka and the traditional food they prepared for us was some of the tastiest.  Our visit there concluded with some traditional dancing which had all expeditioners enthralled.

Today the weather has deteriorated although we have still been able to zodiac cruise with Walrus and attempted a landing at a now abandoned Polar weather station on Kolyuchino Island although high seas pushed up by ther storm meant we changed plans.  We are now bound for Wrangel Island with an ETA of Saturday.

Photo credit: Heritage Expeditions

Photo credit: K.Ovsyanikova